Ridgefield News
January 15, 2001

5th Annual Martin Luther King Celebration

Fifth Annual Martin Luther King Celebration Draws Record Crowd

First Selectman Rudy Marconi addresses the gathering. Seated at the speakers table are (from left) Gianna Capodilupo, Alissa Felt, and Eliza Kirby, Branchville third-graders who read original pieces written for today's celebration.

Jan. 15 -- Ridgefield celebrated Martin Luther King's birthday today, in its fifth annual ceremony. Despite damp, drizzly weather, a record crowd of 75 people or so came out to commemorate the civil rights leader. First Selectman Rudy Marconi keynoted the celebration, as he did at last year's event. (Click here for the text of Marconi's remarks) Prior to Marconi's election, Ridgefield's First Selectmen had chosen not to attend the event. Susan Cocco, chairman of the Ridgefield Diversity Committee, organized today's event and hosted the gathering. The Rev. Jim Bray of the Ridgefield Baptist Church gave a fascinating talk, highlighting Dr. King's focus on religion throughout his civil rights work. In a delightful innovation, three third-grade students from Branchville Elementary School wrote original pieces for the event, and read them from the podium.

[Photo, left] Susan Cocco, chairman of the Ridgefield Diversity Committee and DTC member, organized today's event and served as mistress of ceremonies. Susan has been involved in the Martin Luther King celebration since its inception. She has also initiated and organized Ridgefield's Diversity Day activities over the last few years.
[Right] The attendance at the Martin Luther King event has been building steadily over the last five years. Today's ceremony drew an estimated 75 Ridgefielders to the Community Center.

[Left] Rev. Jim Bray of the Ridgefield Baptist Church was a featured speaker. He talked about Martin Luther King's background and his continuing focus on religion as the cornerstone of all his activities. Rev. Bray urged people to celebrate their own and each other's religions, not homogenize them. He described the role of religion in colonial America, explaining that in early times, Connecticut was a Congregational colony. Only Congregationalists were welcome to settle and start businesses in the colony then. He also talked about the importance of religious figures in King's life, noting that Martin Luther King Jr. was originally born Michael King, Jr., after his father. When Michael Jr. was 6 years old, his father, a Baptist minster, "discovered" Martin Luther, and become so enthralled with the reformer that he changed his name to Martin Luther King Sr. His son of course became Martin Luther Jr., the name by which he is remembered to this day. Summarizing the importance of faith to Mrtin Luther King, he quoted the civil rights leader as saying, "we must put God in the forefront of everything we do." Rev. Bray said, "Whatever your faith, champion it - it can impel you to change the world."
[Right] The speakers posed at the conclusion of the event. First Selectman Rudy Marconi (right) sits with (from left) Branchville students Gianna Capoldilupo, Alissa Felt, and Eliza Kirby. The Rev. Bray is partially hidden behind Alissa.

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